DIATEC Filco Majestouch N-key rollover Brown Switch Keyboard Review
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About N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
N-key Rollover allows multiple simultaneous key presses to be recognized by your computer. This means that each key is scanned completely independently by the keyboard hardware, so that each key press is correctly detected regardless of how many other keys are being pressed or held down at the time.
True N-key Rollover, as used by Filco works only with the included PS/2 adapter. Using the USB connection will limit the N-key Rollover function to 6 keys, plus 4 modifiers (Ctrl, Alt, Pgup, etc.), at a time.NKRO is similar to but not the same as what some 'gaming keyboards' incorrectly market as "anti-ghosting". You might also hear the term where n is replaced with a number (i.e., 6-key rollover), which means that up to that number of keys can be pressed simultaneously.
Filco use isolation diodes in their keyboard matrix to implement full N-key rollover (sometimes abbreviated NKRO), making them immune to both anti ghosting and key jamming. This sets them apart from most keyboards which, to reduce cost and design complexity, do not isolate all keys in this way. Instead, they use a matrix of key switches, without any isolation diodes, that assumes that only a limited number of keys will be held down at any given time.
A keyboard with "2-key rollover" can reliably detect only any two keys used simultaneously; in other words, a user can hold down any key on the keyboard and press a second key, and be sure that the key press is correctly detected by the computer. However, if the user has two keys depressed and attempts to strike a third key, the third key press may create a "phantom key" by shorting out the switch matrix. This is not acceptable for quality keyboards because there are many cases when more than two keys need to be depressed at the same time, or when more than two keys are depressed because of fast typing ("rolling over" more than two keys).
A simple test can be found at
http://rollover.geekhack.org/ Using the edge of a ruler depress the top line keyboard, the software will register the total number of keys registered. If possible, try the same test using both Usb and PS/2 connections.
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Conclusive Thoughts
Right after testing the SteelSeries 7G, I got more interested in the mechanical keyboards, because they offer a better computing experience and can ever increase the productivity; they are great when writing large articles, but also when gaming.
The most common switch types used in current mechanical keyboards are Cherry MX Black, Blue and Brown. The differences between these switches are little when using the keyboard for the first time, but after a while, they become more perceptible. Their colors are used to differentiate the different characteristics:
- Cherry MX Black is a non-tactile, non-clicky switch
- Cherry MX Blue is both tactile and clicky
- Cherry MX Brown is tactile, but not clicky
These three types of switches also require different forces when pressed, the heaviest being the Black, followed by the Blue and the Brown.
The Majestouch Filco Majestouch N-key rollover Brown Switch feels easier to type compared to the 7G and till now it is my favourite keyboard; the only thing that it is missing is a wrist-pad. Some nice leather ones are sold separately for extra cost. This particular product does not feature lots of LEDs or other *bling* gaming keyboards usually have, but embraces a standard design; if you do not have a lot of space available on your desk, you can also look at the available Tenkeyless variant.
This keyboard can be bought online for about £111.63.
http://www.madshrimps.be/articles/article/1000091brand new review by madshrimps
Here is the Steelseries 7G review for comparison
http://www.madshrimps.be/articles/article/...Keyboard-ReviewI'm not saying that NKRO is the must have feature, as there many other things to consider when deciding to get a keyboard. So all the facts are here, so decide for yourself what you would be ok with and at what price range
This post has been edited by Moogle Stiltzkin: Nov 11 2010, 03:34 AM 
Nov 11 2010, 02:07 AM
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